Rohey John Manjang, The Minister Of Environment
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, provided an update to lawmakers on Wednesday regarding the confiscated timber from Njabakunda, which was later deposited in Minteh Kunda village.
The inquiry was raised by Hon. Sulayman Saho, the National Assembly member for Central Badibou constituency.
In her response, Minister Manjang explained that an illegal logging incident had been reported to the Regional Forestry Officer for the North Bank Region, detailing that trees had been felled within the Baobolong Community Protected Forest Reserve, which is managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management.
“The community of Minteh Kunda confiscated the illegally harvested timber, numbering 46 pieces. The area forestry officer from the department of forestry accompanied the wildlife officer, from the department of parks and wildlife Management, to report the case to the police. According to the wildlife officer, while the individuals responsible were yet to be identified, a driving license and wave card were recovered at the scene and handed over to the police to assist in their investigations,” she said.
The ruling ordered that the 46 pieces of timber, abandoned between Njabakunda and Minteh Kunda forest park, be forfeited to the state. Additionally, the chainsaw found abandoned in the forest was also to be forfeited to the state. Both the timber and chainsaw were to be handed over to the Governor of the North Bank Region for proper disposal.
Following the court’s order, the Governor’s Office successfully disposed of the timber and chainsaw. The proceeds from the sale, amounting to D30,000, were handed over to the Regional Forestry Office, which subsequently deposited the funds into the Department of Forestry’s revenue account.
“Following the disposal of the timber and chainsaw by the governor NBR as ordered by the court, the governor’s office handed over D30,000 from the sale proceeds to the regional forestry office, which was deposited into the department of forestry’s revenue account,” she said.